Cron must not execute group-writable or world-writable programs.

From AIX 6.1 SECURITY TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

Associated with IA controls: DCSL-1

Associated with: CCI-000225

SV-27329r1_rule Cron must not execute group-writable or world-writable programs.

Vulnerability discussion

If cron executes group-writable or world-writable programs, there is a possibility that unauthorized users could manipulate the programs with malicious intent. This could compromise system and network security.

Check content

List all cronjobs on the system. Procedure: # ls /var/spool/cron/crontabs/ If cron jobs exist under any of the above directories search for programs executed by cron. Procedure: # more Determine if the file is group-writable or world-writable. Procedure: # ls -la If cron executes group-writable or world-writable files, this is a finding.

Fix text

Remove the world-writable and group-writable permissions from the cron program file(s) identified. # chmod go-w

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